Chapter 484: A Man of Character

The incident of the visiting writers group in France had just subsided, and at this time it was revealed that the famous writer Lin Weimin had withdrawn from the China Writers Association. It is hard not to make people think about it.

Many media outlets approached the Cultural Association for verification. The Association tried to cover up the matter for a long time, but finally confirmed that it was true.

As soon as the report was released, it caused an uproar in public opinion.

The Writers Association is the base camp for writers. Lin Weimin is now very famous in China, has won various awards at home and abroad, and his novels have sold millions of copies. It is no exaggeration to say that he is the face of the Writers Association. With his identity, status and fame, how could he suddenly quit the Writers Association?

After "Hunting" was criticized after its publication, the "Wenyi Bao" sponsored by the Literary Association also helped Lin Weimin. In the eyes of readers, the relationship between Lin Weimin and the Literary Association is extremely good.

But now they just said they were quitting. It doesn’t seem right no matter how I think about it.

There were many reporters who were skeptical about this matter. They tried to find the reason from the Cultural Association, but were turned away.

Many reporters approached Lin Weimin again. Now that the matter had gradually calmed down, Lin Weimin did not want to create any more trouble, so he also blocked all interviews.

The lack of definitive answers from the parties involved did not affect the media and the public's desire to explore.

Soon, a rumor spread.

Lin Weimin withdrew from the Writers Association in anger because he was dissatisfied with what the visiting writers did abroad and angry at the inaction of the Writers Association.

This piece of news was in line with the voices of the angry people in recent times, and it spread across the country at a rapid speed, becoming a hot topic within a few days.

Lin Weimin has therefore gained another layer of glory in the hearts of the Chinese people. He is not only a great writer who has won numerous awards and brought glory to the country, but also a man who hates evil and fights against the ugly phenomena in the literary world, preferring to die with honor rather than live in disgrace.

"It really wasn't me. Don't you trust my character?"

On the phone, Li Xiangyang's voice was filled with a hint of gloating.

There are some detailed and detailed rumors about why Lin Weimin withdrew from the Writers Association, and the content is basically true. The news is spreading more and more widely.

Lin Weimin called Li Xiangyang and asked if the news came from him.

"It's because it's you that I don't believe it." Lin Weimin said.

Li Xiangyang said seriously, "I'm not kidding you. Do you really want to know who spread this news?"

"Who?" Lin Weimin asked immediately after hearing Li Xiangyang's words.

Li Xiangyang must know something for saying this.

"As a level 12 cadre, you are not very well-informed!" Li Xiangyang teased.

"Stop talking nonsense. What's going on?" Lin Weimin asked.

"This farce is a big blow to the image of domestic writers. The relevant departments must surely promote a positive image!"

Li Xiangyang's words immediately woke Lin Weimin up, "Am I...being made an example of?"

"Not really. This matter cannot be done publicly. That would be the same as beating those people to death! It is just spontaneous grassroots propaganda to restore the image of writers as a group.

Lin Weimin sighed: "The higher-ups really have good intentions!"

"There's nothing we can do. Governing a big country is like cooking a small fish. We can't just speak without restraint like those writers right from the start. We have to do it for the sake of unity! After all, these are all internal conflicts."

"You don't know yet, do you? When the news came out, many people guessed that the last sentence in my report was said by you."

Lin Weimin smiled and said, "I guessed it, the news has spread anyway."

The two of them sighed a few words and hung up the phone.

A few days later, Lin Weimin went to the office for a meeting, which was a usual brainstorming meeting.

The consequences of the writers' group's incident in France gradually became apparent, and the leaders emphasized the adverse impact of this incident during the meeting.

After the meeting, the new leader Director Du called Lin Weimin to his office. After Lin Weimin went in, Cheng Zaochun had just left.

"I went to a meeting and the leader heard about your story. He praised you a lot and said that you have a stance and an attitude." The leader said with a smile.

Lin Weimin did not dare to ask which leader it was. "I was also angry at the time. I actually did not object to their speaking, but I just felt it was inappropriate in that situation."

The leader nodded in approval and praised: "This is the overall view. Those people are lacking in your overall view."

He added: "I read the NC, and I also read the report in the Yanjing Youth Daily. You said that, didn't you?"

Lin Weimin smiled.

"Not bad, really good. It has the spirit of an older generation of proletarian writers!"

These compliments made Lin Weimin feel a little uneasy, and he started to wonder if his leader had ill intentions towards him.

As a result, after waiting for a long time, until he left the office, he did not see his leader make any excessive demands. Lin Weimin could not help but feel ashamed of his petty mind.

How can you think of your leader like this?

After returning to the Guowen Publishing House, Cheng Zaochun found Lin Weimin and asked him about the progress of the Chinese version of "Life is Beautiful No Matter What".

"It's almost there, almost there!" Lin Weimin said perfunctorily without any sincerity.

"It's been so long, can't you have some snacks?"

"I'm busy now. I'll definitely finish it in a few days."

After chatting for a while, Cheng Zaochun changed the subject again and said, "Last month's "The Song of Rooftop Garlic Sprouts"..."

"What's wrong?" Lin Weimin immediately became alert.

"What else can I do? I'm just sensitive. I'll be more careful next time."

Lin Weimin was suspicious, remembering the time he passed by Cheng Zaochun when he went to the leader's office, "Did the leader say something to you?"

"I guessed it, but you're still asking even though you already know the answer? I think you're just pretending to be ignorant!"

"Look at what you said, it's as if I'm deliberately going against you, the leader."

"Hasn't it been enough that you have done the opposite of me?"

"It's too hurtful to talk like this."

After joking for a few words, Cheng Zaochun said seriously: "Be more careful in the future."

"Got it, I'll definitely do it next time."

"The Song of Garlic Sprouts in Heaven" was published in the fourth issue of "Contemporary" in April and received a mediocre response. However, it was precisely because of this reputation that this sharp novel did not cause as much controversy as many works that criticized current social ills.

Mo Yan was somewhat disappointed with the response to the novel. He had thought that the novel would cause some response.

"Your idea is a bit dangerous. Having a reaction is not necessarily a good thing. Isn't it good as it is now? You've seen what you need to see, and you don't need to take any risks in public opinion."

Lin Weimin's persuasion made Mo Yan nod, and it was not wrong to say so.

Lin Weimin added: "This novel is indeed a bit crude in its treatment. We should not ignore the pursuit of creation just because of the intention."

Mo Yan said: "I learned a lesson this time."

After work, Lin Weimin drove his car onto Xizhimen Inner Street, passed Xinjiekou, and stopped in front of Prince Yongji's mansion.

Since taking over this place last summer, Li Guangfu helped Lin Weimin find Professor Guo Daiheng from Shuimu to be responsible for the renovation of this mansion. Now more than half a year has passed.

When Lin Weimin walked in, the workers in the yard were getting off work.

In more than half a year, this place has almost become a large construction site, with no obvious changes due to the passage of time.

"Alas! We underestimated the difficulty of renovating this mansion."

Guo Daiheng felt a little embarrassed when chatting with Lin Weimin. According to the plan she gave to Lin Weimin, the reconstruction of Prince Yongji's mansion would only take one and a half years.

But according to the current progress, it will not be completed even in two years.

It is extremely difficult to maintain the original character of the building while modernizing the interior without losing its original charm.

In the past, she was responsible for the restoration of ancient buildings, which had only one purpose and was actually easier to do.

Lin Weimin smiled and said, "It's okay, don't worry, we'll finish it when we're done."

Over the past year or two, the deposits in his bank account have continued to grow at an increasingly rapid rate, and he no longer knows what to do.

He plans to buy some stocks or something next time he goes to the United States. Anyway, money will just grow thin if it is just sitting there, so he might as well make some investments in companies like Microsoft and Apple. Since he is here, he might as well invest in some stocks.

Li Guangfu said with a smile: "We are happy to work with such a good boss like Mr. Lin."

Guo Daiheng didn't know how to flatter Li Guangfu, but she nodded in approval.

Regardless of the project, the budget and construction period are usually fixed. But for Lin Weimin, everything is up to him.

It is a blessing to work with such people.

"All I want is the result!" Lin Weimin said, looking at the messy courtyard.

Of course, there is a reason why he is so nice to others. Everything is for the good result.

"Don't worry, we will do our best." Guo Daiheng assured.

Lin Weimin smiled easily and said, "I'm sorry for worrying you guys."

"It's my duty." Li Guangfu also said.

After a few more days, Lin Weimin finally finished writing the Chinese version of "Nothing" and handed it over to the publishing house, saving Cheng Zaochun from nagging from time to time.

That morning, Qin Chaoyang came to visit the editorial office. The old comrade seldom showed up at Guowen Publishing House after his retirement. His sudden appearance made his colleagues very surprised.

During the chat, Qin Chaoyang mentioned Rong Shihui's situation.

In 1984, Rong Shihui was transferred from Guowen Publishing House to Writers Publishing House.

Lao Rong is recognized as one of the four famous editors of Yenching University. His professional ability is impeccable. He did not become a leader in Guowen Publishing House, but he did a great job in Writers Publishing House. He just retired this year as deputy editor-in-chief of Writers Publishing House.

He has now been rehired by Writers Publishing House and is responsible for the final review of some novel manuscripts.

"I'm not saying that you retired old men are not enjoying your retirement and are thinking about making use of your remaining energy all day long. This is blocking the path of progress for us young people!" Lin Weimin joked.

Qin Chaoyang said with a smile: "I retired completely, you have to go and tell Lao Rong about this."

"We need to talk about him. How about this, I'll treat you two to dinner tonight, and we can criticize him together."

It is said to be criticism, but in fact it is an invitation.

In the past few years, Lin Weimin could count the number of times he had met Rong Shihui on one hand. Looking back, he was the one who introduced him to the editorial department, so they could be considered as a master-disciple relationship.

Lin Weimin and Qin Chaoyang drove a little ahead of time and arrived at the northeast corner of Changhong Bridge on the East Third Ring Road, where there is a "Gemini Building". The two buildings stand side by side, looking exactly the same, square and regular.

The building is sixteen stories high and is located opposite the Tuanjiehu community where Lin Weimin lives in the winter, overlooking a group of "dwarf" multi-story buildings.

The two buildings belong to different units, the east one is Tongguang Building, the west one is Federation of Literary and Art Circles Building. The building was jointly built by Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Association of Literary and Art Circles. According to the size of the investment, the Association of Literary and Art Circles occupies the third floor, and the Writers Publishing House occupies the fourth floor of the building.

When Lin Weimin and Qin Chaoyang found the fourth floor, the publishing house was just getting off work. They spotted Rong Shihui who was leisurely packing up his things in the editorial office.

"Lao Rong!" Lin Weimin called out.

Rong Shihui looked up and saw Lin Weimin and Qin Chaoyang, with an expression of inexplicable surprise on his face.

"Why are you two here?"

"Come and see you!" Qin Chaoyang said with a smile.

"We're just getting off work, let's go for a walk and have something to eat together!" Rong Shihui said enthusiastically.

Qin Chaoyang pointed at Lin Weimin and said, "Do you need to tell me that? Did you see that? I brought this guy here just to settle the bill."

Rong Shihui laughed out loud.

(End of this chapter)